| The American brig Thomas H. Perkins was purchased in August
1841 at Astoria, Oregon, by Lt. Charles Wilkes, commanding the U.S. Exploring
Expedition, to accommodate the officers and crew of Peacock, which
had been wrecked 18 July. Renamed Oregon, the acquisition was taken
to Fort Vancouver for alterations and fitting out for service with the
expedition. |
| Under the command of Lt. Overton Carr, Oregon sailed with
the rest of the squadron 1 October for San Francisco, then on to Honolulu.
On 27 November Oregon and Porpoise were detached to explore
the shoals and reefs extending west - north - west of the Hawaiian Islands,
intending to rejoin the rest of the ships in Singapore. In need of general
repairs, the two arrived there 19 January 1842, almost a month before the
others. On the 26th, Oregon and Porpoise left with the squadron
for Capetown and St. Helena, then departed on their own again for Rio de
Janeiro. before arriving off Sandy Hook on 30 June. |
| Oregon was overhauled and repaired at New York, and fitted
for surveying service in the Gulf of Mexico. She sailed 6 December via Charleston
and Tampa, and conducted surveys in the Gulf until midsummer, returning to
Norfolk 24 July. Used as a school ship there through October, she then carried
condemned ordnance from Pensacola to New York until August 1844. |
| On 21 September Oregon sailed from Norfolk to New Granada
with dispatches, returning 11 January 1845. Laid up in the Norfolk Navy Yard
on 10 April of that year, she was sold soon thereafter. |
Tonnage, 250; Length, 84'9"; Beam, 22'3"; Draft, 11'2"; Armament,
two guns |
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